Forgiveness broadens our territory, a wonderful thing and sometimes frightening as well. It can be like turning the corner on a new road, unfamiliar, our breath may shallow or halt altogether if we can’t discern whether we’ve turned the wrong way on a one way or not. Having recently moved I regularly find myself realizing that there are many places where I simply cannot see beyond my current location, I’ve.. Read More
God’s Word, and Us, His Children: Gifts, Through the Children’s Eyes
God’s Word is a beautiful, beautiful gift. Did you know that the word “grace” that we learn and see of God in the New Testament is often missed in the Old Testament because it is more often translated as the words “mercy” or “lovingkindness”. I’ve heard it said otherwise though. That this lack of the word “grace” in the O.T. was for a different reason, that it was because Jesus, (Yeshua in.. Read More
Hard to Pray? Me too. Here’s Some Tools.
Honesty in prayer (and all of life!) isn’t just OK, it is THE way after God’s heart. This is the humility God desires.
For When It’s Easier to Look Away than At the Face of Suffering
I went “prepared” to help meet our persecuted family’s needs, yet, instead they held my hands and captivated my eyes. They told me how they pray for America to experience “the blessing of persecution”. My mind has spun with confusion and questions that felt like being alone in an empty room. These times must come. Undeniably, my spirit has been hungry with anticipation that I too could grasp their secret.. Read More
Want to be Brave? Get Ready for Joy Beyond What You Can Reach.
The idea of designing The Martyrs’Cross had been in my husband’s heart for some time before we got married. However, it was just a couple months before we wed that it fully ripened and became a reality. It was a symbol to us of our purpose in coming together. We met at a Voice of the Martyrs’ conference both sure we would never marry and definitely not have any children. Well, almost.. Read More
There’s a Time to Push: Through the Children’s Eyes (edition 3)
I often hear our Heavenly Father’s voice when I instruct my children. Sometimes I don’t *get it* right away but since it’s become a common theme I try to listen carefully to what I am saying. I consider, what do I need to do with the words as well? Recently, I spoke with them about there being times we need to choose the difficult way; the times that we have to push in.. Read More
Through The Children’s Eyes, (edition 2)
Reading the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 was heavy with discussion and wide-eyes. Before I go further, let me be clear in the picture I paint for you: the 8 year old is coloring and listening half of the time (I think), the six year old is building with Legos and making a LOT of rocket blasting sounds, but still sometimes seems to be listening enough to tell us the last few things we said. (I’m just glad he’s still around the table with us.) And the 3 year old, well, that depends on the day. But I keep him as close by as I can because the 10, 12 & 14 year olds were that little once, and today, as I read the story…